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Holiday Etiquette with Joanna Hawley

October 01, 2013
The holidays can be a tricky time, manners-wise. Personally, I like a casual holiday with a touch of formality. I encourage my guests to wear jeans, but I like to set my table fancifully. Another “formal” practice is that I send holiday cards to a whole slew of people every year. Handwritten, too! From perfecting the perfect formal table-setting to knowing what to say in holiday cards, here’s a quick guide for modern etiquette.

Holiday Howdy-Dos

I like to get in the Christmas spirit every year by writing dozens of holiday cards. I send cards to a variety of people: from old co-workers to distant relatives, even fellow bloggers whom I’ve never met in real life! Holiday Howdy-Dos
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I like to use a festive red pen when writing my holiday notes!
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When writing to family members, keep in mind that they want to know how you’re doing! Mention any promotions at work, how the new home renovations are coming, that sort of thing. Distant great aunt Betty will appreciate the correspondence and update on your life!

When writing to people you’re not super close with, for example previous co-workers, I like to keep it simple. Wish them a beautiful holiday and a happy, healthy new year!
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I often get sentimental when I write to close family members and my best friends. I really try to take it as an opportunity to let them know how important they are to me and how grateful I am for their presence in my life. This holiday season, I encourage to let your loved ones know just how you feel!
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Seal your cards with a dash of washi tape and off they go!
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Dapper Dinner Party

Directions

  • 1 Starting with a table covered in a tablecloth and placemat, lay down a napkin and dinner plate. The napkin goes to the left of the dinner plate
  • 2 Place the salad plate in the center of the dinner plate.
  • 3 Next, lay the soup bowl in the middle of the salad plate.
  • 4 Going from small to big, place the forks on the napkin to the left.
  • 5 To the right of the dinner plate, layout the knife (blade in!), then the dessert spoon, then the soup spoon.
  • 6 From the left, place a wine glass, then champagne glass, then tumbler for water.
  • 7 Adding to the holiday vibe, I finished off the tumblers with birch-printed paper straws. Just a little wink for fun!
Dapper Dinner Party
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Modernizing-Your-Holiday-Etiquette-Ziploc-Brand


Modernizing-Your-Holiday-Etiquette-Ziploc-Brand


Modernizing-Your-Holiday-Etiquette-Ziploc-Brand


Modernizing-Your-Holiday-Etiquette-Ziploc-Brand


Modernizing-Your-Holiday-Etiquette-Ziploc-Brand


Joanna Hawley